“September 1st” placed as a Runner Up in the Song of the Year Songwriting and Lyric Competition. The song “… received extremely high scores and was found to be competitive with the winning songs. Only the top writers receive this placement.” Song of the Year. http://writer.songoftheyear.com/erinrabitcheff.html September 1st is a gutsy, blues-rock tribute (with a haunting slide guitar), honestly delivered in the words of two young boys, to their father who left for a one year assignment in Afghanistan. Singer-Songwriter, and mother to the boys, Erin Rabitcheff, hoped the song could give voice to the powerful feelings her sons would have while their father was away. The song is a story of hope, love, courage and forgiveness. The lyrics, which Rabitcheff wrote with her kids, do not mince words. Recording the music, and making the video, was a way for her to honor the challenges that many children (of employees from military, business, government, and non-profit organizations) face each year when their mothers or fathers are deployed abroad to serve their country; leaving their families behind...some temporarily and some not.